Beremboke wildlife rescue service receives environmental grant

ANIMAL rescue service Sanctuary of Sentient Beings has been lauded for its ability to care for the Beremboke environment, and help its local communities thrive.

The charity is one of 26 recipients of this year’s Greater Western Water’s (GWW) Thriving Communities Program, which provides grants to community groups’ grassroots programs that care for the environment and strengthen local connections.

Located in the Brisbane Ranges National Park, Sanctuary of Sentient Beings is dedicated to providing refuge for sick, rescued and orphaned animals.

The organisation was recognised for its Sanctuary Rewilding and Living Habitat Restoration Program which aims to restore native habitat, protect waterways and strengthen biodiversity through revegetation, weed control, fencing and off-stream watering systems, helping landscapes, waterways and wildlife recover and thrive.

Sanctuary of Sentient Beings co-founder Jodie Musto said the support will go a long way in keeping animals out of the fragile waterway regrowth areas and setting up better water points for them in the paddocks.

“For us, caring for rescued animals and caring for country are completely connected,” she said.

“We feel a real responsibility to care of this place well and restore the areas that need support.

“This work will help create a healthier, more resilient landscape for both the animals who call the sanctuary home and the native wildlife that shares this place. This is their home too.”

Musto said the grant would also give people in the area the opportunity to be part of something practical and hopeful.

“Being out in the natural environment is so rewarding, and planting trees, restoring habitat and watching those areas grow over time is a really meaningful way to connect with this beautiful place up here,” she said.

“We’d love to connect with more people across Moorabool Shire who care about wilderness regeneration, protecting nature, connecting to country, wildlife corridors, animals, waterways and hands-on restoration.”

GWW general manager of strategy and partnerships Kessia Thomson said this year’s program saw a record number of applications focused on water education, waterway health and environmental sustainability.

“This year we are pleased to be supporting a large number of initiatives that promote grass roots programs around water literacy, sustainability and environmental stewardship,” Thomson said.

“We’re seeing more frequent dry conditions across our region, which makes it even more important to support local groups to help communities learn, connect and play their part in making every drop count.

“We’re equally proud to support projects that make community participation more accessible, whether that’s helping young people get involved in sport, bringing communities together through cultural events, or creating opportunities to learn more about sustainability and caring for our environment.”